The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is conducting an intensive search for a suspect who fled after being caught with UGX 65 million in counterfeit currency at the Jinja Nile Bridge checkpoint.
The incident occurred during a routine vehicle inspection on a taxi traveling from Busia to Kampala, where the suspect was found with a suspicious sack of counterfeit notes.
The passenger, visibly nervous, caught the attention of the officers, who requested to inspect his belongings. Inside an “usofia” sack, authorities discovered 30 bundles of counterfeit UGX 5,000 notes, neatly packed, totaling UGX 65 million.
Before officers could question the suspect further, he managed to escape into the early morning darkness, leaving behind the illicit money.
This case echoes a similar event in March 2023, when URA intercepted three individuals trying to smuggle UGX 40 million in fake currency into Uganda via a Modern Coast bus.
The East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA) 2004, as amended, strictly prohibits the importation or transportation of counterfeit currency.
The law stipulates severe penalties for such offenses, including a fine of 50% of the counterfeit value or imprisonment in cases involving fake currency.
Investigations are now underway as URA, in collaboration with law enforcement, seeks to identify the suspect and uncover the motive behind the smuggling attempt.
URA remains committed to curbing tax evasion and the circulation of counterfeit money, working to protect the integrity of Uganda’s economy.